Super Smash Bros./Pikachu

Introduction

It is currently ranked number one on the tier list for solid attack power, good combo-ability, a good projectile, and undoubtedly the best recovery in SSB. All of this leads to very favourable matchups; Pikachu is one of only four characters in the entire Smash series to have no disadvantageous matchups (along with Fox, Falco and Metaknight, and it remains the only one in the series to have no even matchups. The problems Pikachu faces are small, but still noticeable. It is easily comboed, along with the fact it is light weight, despite usually being able to get out of bad situations with its high priority attacks and being able to use its up special move to get away from opponent hits. Pikachu also has low range, especially on grabs. Its up special, despite its invincibility frames and wonderful range, leaves Pikachu vulnerable. If one can get over these small issues, Pikachu will be a huge asset.

Normal Move Analysis

Ground Moves

Normal

• Neutral attack: Pikachu headbutts forward. 2% per pummel, can chain into itself. It has somewhat low range, the attack direction in front of Pikachu. Without proper directional influence (DI), this may break a shield against a wall.
• Forward tilt: Pika stands on its two hands and kicks its two feet forward. 10% damage. Around the same if not slightly lower range than its neutral attack. Can be slightly angled up or down, though not very noticeable.
• Down tilt: A tail sweep doing 12%, which is normally used against walls/against certain people's recoveries (Fox, Captain Falcon, Samus, etc.) Lower range than it's neutral attack, but usually forces the foe right over the ledge, setting up for an aerial finisher.
• Up tilt: Vertical Tail Lash- 9-11%, a very fun move with very high priority. can combo multiple times without the opponent escaping, simple to combo with up smash and up tilt. Easily leads into powerful neutral aerial.
• Dash attack: Sliding Headbutt- 9-12% damage. Barely used, can be used for finishing occasionally. Very laggy and predictable.

Smash attacks

• Side smash: Thunder jolt- 14-18%, very high priority, one of the best killing moves, can be slightly aimed up/down but barely. Pika releases a short jolt of electricity from its cheeks. The electrical effect is in 2-D.
• Down smash: Break Dance- 10-16%, where the forward hit does 16, and back hit does 13. This a less used and slightly less powerful version of the side smash, so it's randomly used (mindgames). However, it is still very powerful.
• Up smash: Flip- 14-18% very powerful, similar to Falcon's but more range, slower, and with more lag, can combo multiple ones with heavy chars also using up tilt and it into aerials and down b, a good killing move, high priority

Other attacks

• Ledge attack: Very quickly and flip kicks. 6% damage.
• 100% ledge attack: Slowly gets up and whips it's tail. 6% damage.
• Floor attack- Swirls around with its foot extended. 6% damage.

Aerial attacks

• Neutral aerial: Aerial Kick- 9-14% a combo starter for pros, made better by Isai*, a combo starter/finisher and powerful hit box. An easily definable Sex Kick.
• Forward aerial: Aerial thunder jolt- 7 hits at a rate of 3% per hit, a combo starter or finisher. All the hits are awkward to connect, and the finishing hit isn't even that strong. The speed of the move slows as the foe is zapped.
• Back aerial: Back Kick- 11-16%. Pikachu kicks behind him, its small foot getting slightly larger for a short second. Very powerful, a combo ender/starter.
• Down aerial: downward jolt- 10-13%. Uses and general KO-ing conditions similar to Link's down aerial, only much safer to use.
• Up aerial: upward tail- A flipping upwards tail swing. Does 8-10% damage. Knockback angle depends on area of tail, a comboer as well.

Throws

• Forward throw: Pikachu grabs the foe, flips and releases them. Average throw power. 9-12% damage.
• Back throw: Pikachu puts the foe on its back and releases electricity. Very powerful. This throw would later become his forward throw in future Smash Bros. iterations. 14-18%

Matchups

Matchups	Pikachu	Fox	Kirby	C.Falcon	Mario	Yoshi	DK	Ness	Puff	Luigi	Link	Samus	Total
Pikachu	-	6.5	6	5.5	6	6.5	6.5	7	6.5	7	7.5	7	72	Pikachu
	Pikachu	Fox	Kirby	C.Falcon	Mario	Yoshi	DK	Ness	Puff	Luigi	Link	Samus	Total